From a distant point of view, the NBA community would tune into the LA Clippers’ games and see Kawhi Leonard, a two-time Defensive Player of the Year and seven-time All-Defensive forward, ripping the ball free and going coast-to-coast. This is his nature, and something he has done for 13 seasons and counting.
However, Clippers fans saw a more offensive-dominant version of Leonard. He would skip past defenders and exert a level of force that could not be overpowered, to enter his bag, and drive in or stop for a fadeaway in the lost art of the midrange.
In fact, Leonard has focused more on offense the last few seasons, as he is getting older, and the Clippers have other defenders to handle score-first players in positions one through five. Thus, he has not made an All-Defensive team since 2021.
Yet, last season, Leonard was at his worst on defense in 37 games. His version of poorly performing is still considered above-average for the typical player, but because he is an all-time great wing-defender, the expectation is to maintain.
That said, if a trade-off must be accepted where Leonard scores a tad bit less, but plays stronger defense, the two-time champion should do so, as scoring will not be as big an issue as covering 94 feet will be next season.
Kawhi Leonard’s mindset on a new-look LA Clippers must change next season
Decreasing the minutes of Kris Dunn next season is not ideal, but head coach Tyronn Lue will be forced to do so if Chris Paul plays the whole season as the backup point guard. This is unfortunate for Dunn, but good for Paul, as he can still contribute and have a shot at Sixth Man of the Year.
But, with Dunn on the court less, Kawhi Leonard will have to step up with the additions of offensive-minded players with a subpar defensive skillset in Bradley Beal and John Collins.
Leonard is still elite, and his steals and deflection tactics have not gone anywhere with alien-like size hands, but the energy he plays with must be fifty-fifty on both sides of the ball. Beal and Collins are talented scorers, so if the superstar posts over 15 points but dominates on defense, the Clippers will progress.
If Leonard is not locked in on defense and remains as the lead scorer, the top defensive identity the Clippers had last season will be gone from day one onward.